Registration of contemporary and historical heraldry

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The City of San Diego, California

This certifies that the heraldic arms of
The City of San Diego, California
are registered as an original design and are
described by the blazon below

Arms: Or, a fess wavy Azure, in chief a Spanish caravel in full sail Gules, pennons and flag of the same, in base, an orange tree Proper, fruited and eradicated, between winged wheels of the third.

Crest: A Carmelite belfry Azure, having hung therein a bell Or.

Motto: Semper Vigilans (Ever Vigilant)

Supporters: The pillars of Hercules Azure, entwined with ribands Or.

Compartment: Two dolphins Vert, with eyes, fins and tail Gules, their tails linked together Or.

Design rationale

The blue fess represents the city’s position on the sea. The Spanish caravel represents the exploration and settlement by the Spanish. The orange tree represents the city’s agriculture industry, while the winged wheels represent manufacturing and transportation industries.

The mission or Carmelite belfry of the crest signifies that San Diego is home to the earliest Spanish mission in California.

The pillars of Hercules are used as supporters to recall the early territorial jurisdiction of Spain, which also uses them as supporters for its arms.

The two dolphins symbolize the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, inseparably united by the Panama Canal.